What do you mean by Traditional,
Homeschool and Distributed Learning?
Homeschooling, Traditional Education and Distributed Learning all have separate meanings and parameters set by the Ministry of Education. If you are exploring the options for educating your child, a good place to start is by clicking here for the BC Ministry’s definitions.
If you are choosing a non-traditional educational path for your child(ren), you have quite a few options in British Columbia.
You can Homeschool on your own and stay connected to other Homeschool families through organizations like the South Delta Home Learners or the Greater Vancouver Home Learners. But, through this choice, you do not stay connected to the Ministry and will need to do some research if you wish to connect in later years for graduation purposes. Home learners are required to register with their local catchment school as per minsitry requirements. Look at the comparison of Homeschool to DL in this chart:
| Traditional homeschooling | Online learning with a B.C. public or independent school | In-person learning at a B.C. public or independent school | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must follow the B.C. curriculum. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Learning must be supervised by a B.C.-certified teacher, as part of their duties of employment with a B.C. school (responsibilities include planning, selecting educational resource materials, facilitating learning activities, and documenting learning) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Learner progress must be evaluated and report cards prepared by a B.C.-certified teacher | No | Yes | Yes |
| Student progress must be evaluated by a teacher and report cards are prepared by a teacher 3 times a year | No | Yes | Yes |
| Learner must participate in Provincial Graduation Assessments and Foundation Skills Assessments | No | Yes | Yes |
| Religious beliefs may be taught | Yes | No - Public Yes - Independent | No - Public Yes - Independent |
| Status of student with school | Registered as a homeschooler | Enrolled student | Enrolled student |
For more information on Home Schooling Policies in B.C please Click Here
If you go the Distributed Learning (DL) path, you have a variety of choices in programs and delivery methods. In this style of learning, students can connect with their teacher from anywhere in the world on their own schedule and their own terms. This approach is called distributed learning (DL).
Home Quest is a Provincial Online Blended Learning Program.
When you begin researching DL programs, you will find Home Quest is unique. At Home Quest, we are focused on working with families to create a learning plan that uses the BC curriculum as the framework. We support your learning at home by offering program choices where some of your learning can happen virtually, in-person and even outdoors.
Home Quest is a blended program, sitting in the middle of the continuum between Traditional and Homeschool and between Homeschool and Distributed Learning.
Our professional, certified teachers are experienced in the DL, Traditional and Homeschool educational models and philosophies. We are open-minded and creative in assisting a family with their journey. Home Quest helps to create each student’s path by providing resources, support and learning options thereby creating the ultimate in diversified learning.